Because of recent developments in technology as well as the ongoing pandemic, the majority of working professionals now have the opportunity to perform their jobs outside of the typical work setup. After the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, several businesses gave their employees the option to continue working from home or to come back to the office on a more permanent or hybrid basis. This decision was made after the urgent need for social distance was reduced. Many people were taken aback by the amount of flexibility that was provided to many employees.
Of course, going back to work at the office can also be stressful and take a lot of getting used to. When deciding between working from home and going to the office, it can be helpful for both workers and employers to think about the pros and cons of each. This should start with an assessment of office space needs.
Assessing how much office space you need
After the pandemic, remote work and doing full-time work from home are both likely to become increasingly common. However, business owners and owner-operators are also aware of the requirement for increased flexibility due to the fact that the requirements, goals, and problems of their businesses have evolved and grown through time. Because of this, the working condition and atmosphere that they supply will need to undergo change.
When it comes to evaluating new standards, owners of businesses have their own unique sets of values and interests to consider. It is important for employees to think about what it is they want and need in an office setup. The fundamental necessities of having an internet connection, a headset, and a webcam do not even come close to capturing the complete picture. It is essential to have a clear understanding of your priorities before diving further into determining whether working from home or in an office setup is best for you.
What are your top priorities?
As an employee who may have the option of working remotely or in an office, you should first think about what’s most important to you. There may be a clear effect on your output or on the quality of your life as a whole. Some people have found that working from home gives them a much better mix between work and home life, while for others, this can only happen when work is completely separate from their outside life. All of this is personal and should be thought about. If you have a choice, it’s important to know if it’s time to make the change.
Both businesses and employees should pay attention to a list of the pros and cons of each of these options.
Working from Home: Pros and Cons
Once you have determined your priorities, it is much simpler to assess the relative importance of each pro and con of working from home. What began as a response to a pandemic has taken a permanent place in work structures, and there is now an abundance of knowledge regarding both the good and bad associated with it.
The pros of working from home
The advantages of a remote work-from-home setup are as follows:
1. Increase Productivity
One of the home advantages is that you can get more done when working from home. Nobody will bother you when you’re trying to get some work done. Remote work will likely increase your productivity. If you work from home, you can set your own hours. There will likely be virtual meetings, but you’ll be able to get more done with fewer distractions.
2. Save money
You can save money on gas by working from home. You’ll be able to save money by preparing meals at home. Three restaurant meals each week might significantly drain your finances. You may save money and eat better by preparing meals at home. You can relax and put on whatever you like now that you’re at home. The cost of dry cleaning and laundry will be reduced. It’ll be easier to kick back and get some work done.
3. Flexible hours
Flexibility can’t be beat when you work from home. Because you are your own boss, you can set your own hours and work from wherever you like. Between scheduled events, feel free to stretch your legs. Having a job that gives you a little freedom when it comes to your family life and personal life is a big plus. Take a moment to work on your child’s homework or discuss the week’s menu with your partner. This independence allows for meditation and introspection, both of which can improve one’s mental health, increase productivity, and reduce stress levels if one lives alone.
4. Time management
Remote work is great because you don’t have to spend time getting to and from work. This makes it easier to spend more time with family, save money, or do things that are good for your mental and physical health. Some people now have an extra two to three hours in their day because they no longer have to travel and get stuck in traffic jams. They can use this time however they want.
The cons of working from home
1. Lack of teamwork and community
So, it’s clear that a person can’t live or work well by himself. Some workers might love the idea of working alone, away from all the distractions of the office, but others might find it hard. It can be hard to communicate with remote team members and work for long hours with only a computer screen and no face-to-face contact. There are many places where remote workers can meet through video calls and conferences, such as Zoom, Skype, etc. It might not be as successful as sitting down and coming up with ideas as a group to do daily tasks.
2. Lack of motivation
Motivation keeps people going and helps them reach their goals. When someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time, it can be easy to lose focus quickly. It also makes it harder to reach business goals. Working in an office with like-minded people or getting an encouraging message from a boss might motivate you from the outside. On the other hand, remote work doesn’t have that kind of atmosphere.
A lack of motivation can make it hard for remote employees to do their jobs and can hurt their output. Self-motivation helps, but it’s not always enough to keep a man going. This is where outside inspiration comes in.
3. The lack of oversight and the frequent breaks
Working by yourself might be challenging at times. The workers who are assigned to this position are responsible for monitoring their own progress at work. Self-regulation is difficult labor, and employees are required to make choices regarding how to perform their duties.
When the work of other employees isn’t monitored, those employees could take a lot of unnecessary breaks and waste a lot of time. Because of this, the work day becomes longer and less productive, and you are unable to finish any of the tasks. People are continually encouraged to maintain their focus and operate in an effective and productive manner when they are at the office. When working remotely, this is not something that can be done.
4. Security issues and a lack of office equipment
The transition from a loud and packed office to a peaceful and inviting home office is something that workers who do their jobs from home have praised highly. However, given that everything possesses both positive and negative qualities, working from home also has disadvantages as well. The cost of establishing a home office with high-end computing hardware (such as a desktop computer or laptop), a high-speed internet connection, and additional devices (such as printers and fax machines) may quickly add up. And that is something that is useful to only few people. A second disadvantage of working remotely is that it may be more difficult to access confidential company documents, whereas same information may be readily available in an office setting.
Also, sharing these papers could lead to security problems. Again, different steps need to be taken, such as using a VPN or safe cloud access.
The pros of working in a physical office
1. Structured schedule
In an office job, your whole day is planned out for you. You don’t have as much time to waste, so you can get more work done. You know when to start and when to stop, which will help you stay on track.
You will only have a limited amount of time for lunch, but you are free to use that time however you like, including eating and working out. This will not disrupt your normal work schedule in any way.
2. Cooperative Work
Working in an office setting increases the likelihood of successful teamwork. Someone will be close by if you want to bounce ideas off of them or have questions concerning your joint venture.
Work-related topics can be discussed during lunch with coworkers. The ability to work together effectively and have face-to-face communication between both employees can greatly increase efficiency, strengthen relationships, and ensure that goals are met on the work schedule.
3. Achieving a healthy work-life balance
Leaving work at the office can help you maintain a better work-life balance. After leaving the office, you can relax, go for a run, hang out with friends, or head home.
You may relax and enjoy the rest of your day without worrying about getting anything done after work. It’s nice to be able to walk out of the office knowing you’ve accomplished what you set out to do.
4. Career growth
Having an office job can help you advance in your career more quickly. To both your management and their superiors, In office job, you are an obvious asset.
You’ll get the chance to make a positive impression and set realistic expectations by demonstrating your work ethic in person. Working hard and showing up to work regularly can get you far in the workplace.
The cons of working in an office setting
1. Less productive work
The office is a place where you can accomplish a lot, but you can also waste a lot of time. Office work can be more distracting if you’re trying to meet a tight deadline. It’s more probable that you’ll get interrupted while you’re working if your manager and coworkers can see you. You have a set schedule and location in the workplace, so people can always find you when they need you.
You should probably pause what you’re doing and have a chat with them about something, even if it seems unimportant to you. Reduced productivity is one result of being frequently interrupted at work.
2. Going to and from work
You have to go to and from work because you are an office worker. This can involve anything from driving yourself to the office to using public transportation, such as buses and subways. Time spent commuting is time that can’t be spent working, working out, or sleeping.
In addition, if you have a stressful daily commute, it will eat into your productive work time. The time you spend relieving the tension of a stressful commute will cut into your work time. In addition, arriving late to the office due to your commute will not seem good when your boss is considering who to reward with a raise or promotion.
3. Office environment
Even if you have a great desk and a good computer at the office, you might not be able to do much with the room. You might just be able to fit a few pictures on your desk. If you work from home, you can make your office as unique as you are.
4. Work attire
You must dress professionally in an office. These formal clothes are more expensive than casual clothes and require specialized cleaning. If you spill on your work clothing during lunch, you may have a stain until you get home. This will set the stain and make it difficult to clean, forcing you to buy new work attire.
It costs you money you could spend on fun things.
There is no perfect setup – yet.
Not everyone is happy about going back to work, either. Some Filipino workers can’t wait to get back to work and enjoy the perks, but others don’t want to go back to the way things were before the pandemic. When workers go back to work on site, they will have to spend more time getting there and will have to pay more for gas, transportation, and food. They also risk getting COVID-19.
Both sides have advantages and disadvantages, and neither was much better than the other. Then it’s not a question of this or that, but of finding the right mix between the two. To help Filipino workers as much as possible, their companies, the government, and the private sector need to work together to make rules and better methods that can solve problems in both.
If it took a pandemic to make people realize that working remotely is conceivable, you have to wonder what it will take to make the best of both worlds work.
Living in a modern condo doesn’t have to be expensive…
Asterra offers both a work-from-home option and an office-based option, so you can choose whichever suits your needs best. An Asterra condominium is ideal for young professionals who want to begin a work-from-home career in the comfort of their own home. And for the office setup, Asterra aims to provide a condominium with a modern interior design that is accessible and close to public transportation and establishments. A truly ideal location for an office job because there is less hassle.
The goal of achieving a comfortable standard of living without breaking the bank is effectively served by this modern design for condominium residential development. Unique living is within reach at Asterra, with many options for families and young people trying to strike a healthy work-life-nature balance. The concept of a modern, cozy home has been completely transformed by Asterra. The facilities combine a focus on community building with the best in modern conveniences.
All Asterra projects are built with classic style and practicality in mind. Created specifically for young achievers and professionals!
Written by Keanu Sasis
